In this text then, there is set down one principal duty of Christs prophetical office, by allusion to the practises of the Prophets in the old Testament, especially those which belonged to the schools of Elijah and Elisha, who are here termed, the learned. And out of the words thereof, one special point of instruction may be gathered, namely, That there is a certain knowledge or doctrine revealed in the word of God, whereby the consciences of the weak may be rectified and pacified. I gather it thus. It was one special duty of Christs prophetical office, to give comfort to the consciences ⟨p. 4⟩of those that were distressed, as the Prophet here recordeth. Now as Christ had this power to execute and perform such a duty, so he hath committed the dispensation thereof to the Ministers of the Gospel. For we may not think that Christ in his own person, ministered and spake words of comfort to the weary, in the times of the Prophets, because he was not then exhibited in our nature; and yet he did then speak, but how? in the persons of the Prophets. So likewise, because Christ now in the new Testament, speaks not unto the afflicted in his own proper person, it remaineth therefore, that he performs this great work in the Ministry of Pastors and Teachers upon earth, to whom he hath given knowledge and other gifts to this end and purpose. There must needs therefore be a certain and infallible doctrine, propounded & taught in the Scriptures, whereby the consciences of men distressed, may be quieted and relieved. And this doctrine is not attained unto by extraordinary revelation, but must be drawn out of the written word of God.
In this text then, there is set downe one principall dutie of Christs propheticall office, by allusion to the practises of the Prophets in the olde Testament, especially those which belonged to the schooles of Elias and Elizeus, who are here tearmed, the learned. And out of the words thereof, one speciall point of instruction may be gathered, namely, That there is a certaine knowledge or doctrine reuealed in the word of God, whereby the consciences of the weake may be rectified and pacified. I gather it thus. It was one speciall dutie of Christs propheticall office, to giue comfort to the consciences ⟨p. 4⟩of those that were distressed, as the Prophet here recordeth. Now as Christ had this power to execute and performe such a dutie, so he hath committed the dispensation thereof to the Ministers of the Gospell. For we may not thinke that Christ in his owne person, ministred and spake words of comfort to the wearie, in the times of the Prophets, because he was not then exhibited in our nature; and yet he did then speake, but how? in the persons of the Prophets. So likewise, because Christ nowe in the new Testament, speaks not vnto the afflicted in his owne proper person, it remaineth therefore, that he performes this great work in the Ministerie of Pastours and Teachers vpon earth, to whome he hath giuen knowledge and other gifts to this ende and purpose. There must needs therefore be a certaine and infallible doctrine, propounded & taught in the Scriptures, whereby the consciences of men distressed, may be quieted and releeued. And this doctrine is not attained vnto by extraordinarie reuelation, but must be drawne out of the written word of God.
